Biblical Essays
A HINT OR TWO ON THE BOOK OF PSALMS
We have received several email messages requesting “a little light on the Book of Psalms;” such questions as: “How they are divided?” “Should Christians use only the Psalms in worship?” and Psalm 39:7 has been mentioned several times. This writing is little more than a mere hint or two.
It is divided into five distinct books:
Book 1 contains Psalms 1-41
Book 2 contains Psalms 42-72
Book 3 contains Psalms 73-89
Book 4 contains Psalms 90-106
Book 5 contains Psalms 107-150
We cannot now enter into the distinct principle running through these divisions. We merely add that while scattered throughout the whole volume of Psalms is some of the most blessed, beautiful and fervent utterances of praise and thanksgiving to God; expressions of delight in Him and longing after Him which may be adopted by the saint of every age; still, we must remember that the Psalms are not the expression of Christian worship, though they may well be the subject of our prayerful study, meditation and adoring contemplation. God forbid we should pen a single line, or present a single word that might have even the appearance of being a depreciation of a book that has proved an ever gushing fountain of refreshment to the saints of God in all ages.
Some consider the Psalms to be the only vehicle of Christian worship, because they are divinely inspired, whereas hymns are merely human compositions and more or less paraphrases. But this argument will not stand. If one can produce a single expression throughout the entire 150 Psalms that a Christian could not intelligently and truthfully use, the argument breaks down. It is true that many of the Psalms contain utterances of the spirit of Christ; utterances given forth when He was making atonement for our sins, when He was enduring the wrath due to us, when He was forsaken of God, when He stood where we can never stand.Do we believe in the divine inspiration of every line of the Psalms? Yes; but that no more proves them to be the suited utterance of the Lord’s church today, than the divine inspiration of Exodus 20 proves that we are now under the law. It is not that the church of our Lord cannot adopt some of the expressions in the Psalms. Certainly she can, but as a whole they are not for the worship of the church, and it would be doing positive violence to dispensational integrity to confine the church thereto. Let us ask this question, “What is the condition of a soul who, in the utterance of its worship, never once mentions the name of Jesus; never gives forth the cry of “Abba”? Yet neither of these precious words is to be found throughout the entire Book of Psalms.
Other reasons might be offered in connection with this deeply interesting subject, but we forbear and are satisfied with commending what has been said to your prayerful consideration, and you, dear student of the Word, to God’s own teaching and blessing.
“What wait I for?” (Ps. 39:7)
Not only is this is a searching question for the heart, but it is also a most necessary one, because we may constantly detect within ourselves an attitude of waiting for things which, when they come, prove not to be worth waiting for.
The human heart is much like the poor lame man at the gate of the temple in Acts 3. He was looking at every passerby, “expecting to receive something.” And the heart always looks for some relief, some comfort or enjoyment in passing circumstances. It may be found sitting by the side of some creature-stream, vainly expecting some refreshment to flow along its channel.
It is amazing to think of the trifles on which our nature fixes its expectant gaze – a change of circumstances, change of scene, a journey, a visit, a letter, a book. Anything is sufficient to raise expectations in a poor heart which is not finding its center, its spring, and its all in Christ.
Hence, the practical importance of the heart frequently asking, “What wait I for?” Doubtless, the true answer to this enquiry would at times furnish the most advanced Christian with matter for deep humiliation and self-judgment before the Lord.
In Psalm 39:6 we have three types of character set forth in the “vain show,” “vain disquietude” and “heaping up.” Sometimes, these types may be combined, but usually they have a distinct development.
There are many whose whole life is one “vain show,” whether in their personal character, their commercial position, their political or religious profession. There is nothing solid about them, nothing real, and nothing true. The glitter is the shallowest gilding possible. There is nothing deep, nothing intrinsic. All is surface work – all merely flash and smoke.
Then we find another class whose life is one continued scene of “vain disquietude.” One never finds them at ease; never satisfied, never happy. There is always some terrible thing coming; some catastrophe in the distance, the mere anticipation of which keeps them in a constant fever of anxiety. They are troubled about property, friends, health, children, and business. Though placed in circumstances that others would deem enviable, they seem to be in a perpetual fret, harassing themselves pertaining to troubles that may never come, difficulties they may never encounter, sorrows they may never live to see. Instead of remembering the blessings of the past and rejoicing in the mercies of the present, they are anticipating the trials and sorrows of the future – “they are disquieted in vain.”
Finally, we meet another class, quite different from either of the preceding – keen, shrewd, industrious, money-making people who would live where others would starve. There is not much “vain show” about them. They are too solid, and life is too practical a reality for anything of that sort. Neither can we say there is much disquietude about them. Theirs is an easy-going, quiet, plodding spirit, or an active, enterprising, speculating mind-set. “They heap up, and know not who shall gather.”
But remember, on all three the Spirit has stamped “vanity.” Yes, “all” without any exception, “under the sun,” has been pronounced by one who knew it by experience and wrote it by inspiration, “vanity and vexation of spirit.” Turn where we will “under the sun;” we will not find anything on which the heart can rest. We must rise on the steady and vigorous pinion of faith to regions “above the sun,” to find “a better and an enduring substance.” The One who sits at the right hand of God has said, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: that I may cause them that love Me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures” (Prov. 8:20-21). None but Jesus can give “substance.” None but He can “fill.” None but He can “satisfy.” In Christ's perfect work, there is that which meets the deepest need of conscience – in His glorious Person that which can satisfy the most earnest longings of the heart. The one, who has found Christ on the cross and Christ on the throne, has found all he can possibly need for time or eternity.
Well might the psalmist, having challenged his heart with the question, “What wait I for?” reply, “My hope is in Thee” – no “vain show;” no “vain disquietude;” no “heaping up.” He had found an object in God worth waiting for. Therefore, turning away his eye from everything else, he says, “My hope is in Thee.”
This is the only true, peaceful and happy position. If our soul leans on, looks to, and waits for Jesus, we will never be disappointed. We will possess an exhaustless fund of present enjoyment in fellowship with Christ. At the same time we are cheered by “that blessed hope,” so much so that when this present scene, with all its “vain show,” its “vain disquietude” and its vain resources shall have passed away, we shall be with Jesus where He is, to behold His glory, to bask in the light of His countenance and to be conformed to His image forever.
May we learn to challenge our earth-bound, creature-seeking hearts with the searching enquiry, “What wait I for?” Are we waiting for some change of circumstances or “for the Son from heaven?” May we always look up to Jesus and with a full and an honest heart, say, “Lord, my hope is in Thee.”
By the power of communion with things that are unseen and eternal, may we be more separated from this present evil world and all to which it pertains.
From various cares my heart retires,
Though deep and boundless its desires,
I’m now to please but One;
He before whom the elders bow,
With Him is all my business now,
And with the souls that are His own.
With these my happy lot is cast,
Through the world’s deserts rude and waste,
Or through its gardens fair;
Whether the storms of trouble sweep,
Or all in dead supineness sleep,
Still to go on be my whole care.
